Controllable Device Pipeline System Utilizing Addressed Datagrams

ABSTRACT

A control system for generating and utilizing at least one or more addressed datagrams that communicate information to and from devices along piping assemblies comprising; one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and one or more controllers and/or transponders wherein the transmitters transmit information via one or more addressed datagrams encoded within a fluid medium to one or more receivers among the piping assemblies, is described. Transmitters or transponders convert datagrams into signals that are transmitted within the fluid medium and the receivers receive signals from the transmitters and also convert signals from the fluid medium which is converted back into datagrams. The controllers receive and decode the datagrams so that the controllers selectively communicate and perform logical operations on piping assembly devices according to directions received from the addressed datagrams. The entire control system can function as a network of controllers, receivers, transmitters, and/or transponders as required by one or more users.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from ProvisionalApplication No. 62/017,030 entitled “Piping Assembly System withAddressed Datagrams” filed Jun. 25, 2014.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus forcontrolling the operation of piping assemblies. More specifically, theinvention describes a new and improved downhole tool control system thatresponds to one or more addressable dynamic datagrams that comprise atleast data and signals. A set of transceivers, receivers, and/ortransponders transmit, receive, encode and decode one or more of theaddressed datagrams so that controllers can selectively communicate andperform logical operations on devices used on piping assembliesaccording to directions received from the addressed datagrams.

BACKGROUND

Systems for controlling piping systems in general, and more specificallyfor controlling downhole petroleum based well operations have becomecommon practice. Recent efforts have focused more specifically onfracing operations, which normally leads to a series of devices intendedto provide a more intelligent completion and producing well. Olderexamples of the need for formation testing and evaluation using pressurecontrolled valve devices are such as those shown in the U.S. Pat. Re.No. 29,638. Related devices are illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,823,773, 3,986,554 as well as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,659,4,479,242 and 4,576,234 which all describe valve structures which areoperably responsive to changes in the pressure of fluids that existeither in the tubing-to-casing annulus, or in the tubing itself.

These tools have all been used successfully in cased well bores usinghigh level pressure signals which can be applied safely to the annulusfluids. However, in the past, some very deep, cased wells were nottested with pressure controlled tools because the operating pressurewould have exceeded the burst rating of the casing. Testing in open(uncased) boreholes has more recently been achieved with standardpressure controlled tools. Until this was possible, certain types ofvalve devices, such as circulating valves and some sliding valvesrequired lengthy operating times due to the complicated series ofannulus or tubing pressure changes required to cycle the tool from theclosed to opened positions and back again.

The older designs required dimensional lengths that often becameexcessive, to the point where a typical combination of tester, samplerand circulating valves could and in some cases still do require lengthsin excess of 200-300 feet. Increased complexity of valve systems reducestheir reliability, and increases the chances of mishaps and notperforming the desired downhole operations. As a result of more recentefforts involving fracing and horizontal drilling, there is now anurgent need to increase the number of service operations that can beperformed during single or multiple trips into any piping assembly,especially within the wellbore and during well completion and fracingoperations.

SUMMARY

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide animproved and networkable control system for piping assemblies. Morespecifically this disclosure involves a control system for downholeoperated tools that are responsive to signals. These signals canindividually, collectively, and/or through a network, comprise addresseddatagrams for use by one or more controllers to control one or moredevices throughout any piping assembly. The datagram control system isuseful for petroleum wells including both deep cased and open holewells.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improveddownhole control system to control controllable devices that include oneor more energized power sources attached directly or remotely to thesedevice(s). Using one or more controllers allows for making numerousoperations on the controllable devices during single or successive runs.

The control system is designed for generating and utilizing at least oneor more addressed datagrams that communicate information to and frompiping assemblies and comprises;

one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and one or morecontrollers, wherein the transmitters transmit information via one ormore addressed datagrams encoded within a fluid medium to one or morereceivers among the piping assemblies;wherein the transmitters convert the datagrams into signals that aretransmitted within the fluid medium and;wherein one or more receivers receive signals from the transmitters andthe receivers convert signals from the medium back into datagrams, and;wherein one or more controllers receive and decode one or more datagramsso that the controllers selectively communicate and perform logicaloperations causing the devices to perform one or more actions.

These actions include measurements and/or movements and the datagramscan create and transmit or existing datagrams. The datagrams containlogic packets of information that include one or more address portionsand one or more data portions.

The transmitters comprise; one or more controllable devices beingoperated between an open position and a closed position whereinoperating between the open and closed position provides a measurablequantity of change so that signals are generated and controlled bychanges occurring within the fluid medium channeled either directlythrough the controllable devices or bypassing the devices, or both.

The system, in this case, utilizes a fluid medium that is a mechanical,hydraulic, electrical, electro-magnetic, optical, radioactive,explosive, and/or chemical medium.

In a further embodiment, the controllable devices are well completiondevices for wellbores.

The controllable devices can utilize one or more flow restrictors forproviding a measurable quantity of signals, and the receivers can causeone or more actions in response to information received from thedatagrams. The controllable devices can exist within production tubingand/or casing of wellbores. In addition, the controllable devices areselected from the group consisting of; valves, switches, pumps, meters,analyzers, transducers, transistors, laser transmitters and receivers,and optical fiber networks.

The controllable (often) completion devices can contain one or morereceivers and can contain one or more transmitters. The controllabledevices can also contain one or more transceivers.

For the present invention, the piping assembly is often a downholeassembly within a borehole.

In an additional embodiment, the control system controls multipledevices within multiple zones along a length of the downhole assemblywithin the borehole. Often these devices are valves.

In the case of the present invention the term “datagram” is meant to bea self-contained, independent entity of data carrying sufficientinformation to be routed from a source to a destination computer withoutreliance on earlier exchanges between the source and the destinationcomputer and the transporting network. A datagram needs to beself-contained without reliance on earlier data exchanges because thereis no connection of fixed duration between the two communicating pointsas there is, for example, in most voice telephone conversations.

Datagram service is often compared to a mail delivery service, the useronly provides the destination address, but receives no guarantee ofdelivery, and no confirmation upon successful delivery. Datagram serviceis therefore considered unreliable. Datagram service routes datagramswithout first creating a predetermined path. Datagram service istherefore considered connectionless. There is also no considerationgiven to the order in which other datagrams are sent or received. Infact, many datagrams grouped together can travel along different pathsbefore reaching the same destination.

The datagrams contain logic packets of information that include one ormore addressed portions and one or more data portions. The datagramsalso include checksum portions and/or sequencing criteria portions. Theaddressed portions contained within the datagrams are accessible by thecontroller and provide for communication with individual, collectivegroups, and/or networks of controllable devices. The data portionscontained within the datagrams provide information that allows forcontrolling controllable devices by providing data portionscorresponding with data obtained from making measurements within theworking medium.

The controllers are capable of computing and are computer programmable,comprising one or more memories, one or more time clocks that keep trackof time, and a status that is capable of reporting inputs, outputs, andresulting events by using logic packets of information obtained fromdatagrams for controlling these controllable devices.

Computing within and for utilizing the controllers includes; retrieving,storing, analyzing, organizing, and disseminating information frommeasurements obtained within the fluid medium using datagrams capable ofproviding, storing, and accessing data within or from the controllers.In this manner the controllers can perform logical operations foractuating controllable devices located along (within or external to) thepiping system.

For the present invention, the datagrams normally adhere to a commonsystem datagram protocol wherein the datagrams contain addresses andoptionally contain data. The datagrams can also be encoded and decodedinto barcodes. The datagrams also can contain IP addresses.

Another object of the present invention is that the transmitters,receivers, and controllers together with the use of the datagrams, forma “mesh network”. In the present disclosure, the term “mesh network” isconsidered a network topology in which each node (known as a “meshnode”) relays data for the network. All nodes cooperate to allow fordistribution of data in the network. A mesh network can be designedusing a flooding technique or a routing technique. When using a routingtechnique, the message (datagram) is propagated along a path, by hoppingfrom node to node until the destination is reached. To ensure all itspaths' availability, a routing network must allow for continuousconnections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths, usingself healing algorithms. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected toeach other is a fully connected network. For example, fully connectedwired networks have the advantages of security and reliability: problemsin a cable affect only the two nodes attached to it. However, in suchnetworks, the number of cables, and therefore the cost, goes up rapidlyas the number of nodes increases.

It is also an embodiment of the present invention to utilize a wirelessmesh network by using controlled fluctuations in signals generated usingfiber optics, lasers, electromagnetics including eddy currents,magnetic, or other focused energy forms within the mesh network(s).

The controllers control controllable devices that can be well completiondevices for wellbores. The control system can control multiple deviceswithin multiple geologically diverse zones along a length of one or moredownhole assemblies utilized within an oil field.

In yet another embodiment, the control system for generating andutilizing at least one or more addressed datagrams that communicateinformation to and from piping assemblies comprises;

one or more addressable transponders having one or more controllers,wherein the transponders transmit and receive information via one ormore addressed datagrams encoded within a medium among the pipingassemblies;wherein the transponders convert the datagrams into signals that aretransmitted within the medium and;wherein the transponders receive and convert signals from the mediumback into datagrams,and;wherein the one or more controllers receive and decode one or moredatagrams so that the transponders selectively communicate and performlogical operations causing the devices to perform one or more actions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedremote controlled downhole system that does not require long operatingtimes for making the system operational. Using this system alsoeliminates the need for a complicated sequence of well annulus or tubingpressure or other controlled energy fluctuations to provide deviceactivation.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved pressure responsive well testing tool that has a relativelyshort length, and which is simple and reliable in operation.

For the present invention, by utilizing a controller which could be acomputer operated controller, the deficiencies regarding the use ofdatagrams are minimized and, in most cases eliminated. The controllerexists to guarantee delivery and confirmation of signals from thetransmitters to the receivers or to and from the transponders as well asto the specific devices at the specific locations to be controlled bythe addressed datagrams. The datagram service can thus be transformed tobecome more reliable. It is possible to send back an acknowledgement ifthe datagram is received and it is also possible that there would benon-receipt of the datagram which could also be acknowledged by theintended receiver. This technique is known as an “ack/nack”. Intelecommunications, a negative-acknowledge character (NAK or NACK) is atransmission control character sent by a station as a negative responseto the station with which the connection has been set up.

In Binary Synchronous Communications protocol, the NAK is used toindicate that an error was detected in the previously received block andthat the receiver is ready to accept retransmission of that block. Thedatagrams can also be given either pre-determined, pre-programmed, ordynamically programmed sets of directions for determining the travelpath of the service.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes utilizing one ormore probes located in the piping assemblies that generate and utilizeat least one or more addressed datagrams allowing communication frominformation contained within the datagrams, the probes comprising;

one or more addressable transponders having one or more controllers,wherein the transponders transmit and receive information via one ormore addressed datagrams encoded within the probe and/or within thepiping assemblies;wherein the transponders convert the datagrams into signals that aretransmitted from the probe to the piping assemblies or from the pipingassemblies to the probe and;wherein the transponders receive and convert signals from a fluid mediumwithin the piping assemblies back into datagrams,and;wherein the one or more probes receive and decode one or more datagramsso that the transponders within the probe and/or within the pipingassemblies selectively communicate and perform logical operationscausing one or more devices to take action.

The probes of the present invention can be used for installing,inventorying, accessing, actuating, and controlling one or moredown-hole device(s) in a wellbore assembly comprising;

-   -   (i) marked sections along a length of an assembly within the        wellbore, wherein components and/or portions of an original        section of the assembly together function as unique readable        active or passive markers,    -   (ii) the ability to read the markers,    -   (iii) the ability to act upon reading the markers using at least        one reader by locating specific addresses within the wellbore        corresponding with commands having a signature obtained from        energy sources that transmit data which is compiled into a        datagram, wherein the energy sources are initiated either at the        surface or bottom of the wellbore.

The energy sources can be located either uphole or downhole usingwellbore fluids within the wellbore thereby providing the ability forcausing movement of the controllable devices. Likewise, the movement ofthe controllable devices, can provide changes in the fluid medium thatprovides signals.

In a further embodiment, a method for using the probes requiresinserting the markers in strategically placed locations along an axialand/or radial portion of the piping assemblies which creates one or morepatterns or sequence of patterns and wherein the markers are comprisedof components each possessing, independently, identical or differentselected material compositions with cross sectional areas correspondingto each of the components. At least two or more of the components arerings made from different materials with distinct measurable propertydifferences along the length of the piping assemblies, wherein the ringscollectively function by providing a readable identification (ID) codecreated when the one or more patterns or sequence of patterns are read.

The signals created can be in the form of code, including bar code, thatcomprise a portion of the datagrams.

The components are materials with properties selected from one or moreor in any combination from a group consisting of; electricallyconductive, electrically resistive, electrically insulative,electrically capacitive, electrically inductive, magnetically permeable,magnetically non-permeable, magnetically polarized, sonicallytransmissive, sonically absorptive, optically reflective, opticallyabsorptive, radiation absorptive, radiation emissive that exhibit one ormore features of said materials and wherein said components can be ringscomprising said materials.

The readable ID code is read in precise locations along a length of saidcasing wherein the locations are a specific address corresponding to afeature either at the surface of, or embedded in the piping assemblies.

The markers appear as multiple readable bars to a reader that is readingpermanent components of piping assemblies.

The multiple readable bars comprise a spatial, binary, and/or bar codewherein reading by scanning the code with a reader provides an abilityfor finding a specific address along the casing and allows for carryingout an action at the address.

The piping assemblies are a casing which can also function as aproduction collar within a borehole wherein at least one reader is atleast one probe and wherein the probe is an autonomous tool.

The reader can be one or more tethered probes. The one or more probesfunction alone or in any combination as a plug, sensor, computer,recorder, detector, scanner, and/or barcode scanner.

The one or more probes detect material property differences withinpermanent components within sections along the length of the casing.

At least one probe directs magnetic fields in a radial direction therebymeasuring eddy currents and/or changes in eddy current intensity, andwherein the probe is shielded. At least one probe is unshielded.

One or more probes are singularly, collectively, or in any combination,reading, transmitting, computing, recording, receiving, distinguishing,networking, and/or measuring, at least a portion of one or moredatagrams from signals generated, emitted, and/or transmitted from oneor more probes.

The signals are being actively generated, emitted, and/or transmittedfrom piping assemblies and together can be converted into datagrams. Thesignals are passively generated, emitted, and/or transmitted from pipingassemblies. Utilizing the probes and coded piping assemblies results inuninterrupted, unimpaired, detected material property changes in themarkers by using detectable changes in eddy current values received fromthe coded piping assemblies.

The probes can be moving or stationary and the signals are read whilethe probes are moving or stationary. The collar can be moving orstationary.

The probes function as sensors in that they sense changes in permanentcomponents of selected material compositions along the length of thepiping assemblies. Permanent components are placed as radial sections inand along the length of the piping assemblies.

Marking the markers is accomplished while the piping assemblies areprovided as one or more production collars being installed in one ormore wellbores.

Providing readable ID codes within or from datagrams to a reader assistsin identifying specific borehole features. The ID code can be furtherencoded or decoded by utilizing datagrams.

Providing readable ID code to a reader assists in identifying specificfeatures within a wellbore casing.

Providing readable ID code assists in identifying branching of aborehole casing.

Readable ID code can be read by a reader when the reader is moving ineither a forward or backward direction. Likewise, readable ID code isread by a reader on a wireline so that the code is translated into dataand the data is sent to an uphole surface of a wellbore.

Also, the readable ID code can be read by a reader on a wireline whichis conveyed by jointed piping, or continuous tubing, to the upholesurface. The readable ID code is read by a reader on a wireline which isconveyed by a tractor or pipe crawler. In addition, the ID code is readby a reader connected to equipment not limited to measuring, computing,recording and/or actuating.

The readable ID code can be read by a reader moved by fluids in thewellbore and not limited to pumping and production of the fluids. Thereadable ID code is read by a reader moved by gravity or moved bybuoyancy in the fluid. The readable ID code is read by a reader moved byself-propulsion. The reader can take action upon reading the readable IDcode where the action releases mechanical keys. The action could beactuating a mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, magnetic,pneumatic, hydraulic, radioactive, or fiber optic circuit. The actioncould be, upon reading readable ID code, initiating measurements. Theaction upon reading readable ID code is communicating with a uniqueidentifier to specific equipment along a length of and including anuphole surface of the borehole. Actuating communications is accomplisheddirectly or remotely using wired or wireless communications.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the presentinvention through the provision of a tubular housing having an energyfluctuation (such as pressure) responsive actuator movable thereinbetween longitudinally spaced positions. Longitudinal movement of theactuator is used, for example, to cause shifting of an associated valveelement between open and closed positions with respect to a flowpassage. The passage being either internal to the housing, or throughthe side walls. The actuator includes a piston surface on which apressurized fluid medium acts to develop a longitudinal actuating force,and the fluid medium is supplied from a chamber in the housing at apressure substantially equal to the hydrostatic pressure of well fluidsexternal to the housing.

The fluid medium is selectively supplied to an actuator piston via asystem of control valves that are operably responsive to abattery-powered controller that is located in the housing. The actuatormandrel remains in one of its positions unless and until a datagramaddressed to this valve is received by the controller. In accordancewith one aspect of the invention, the datagram includes a sequence oflow level pressure pulses applied at the surface to the well annulus.The datagram is encoded with the datagram address for identificationthat may also include data. For example, and not by way of limitation,each low level pressure pulse can have a peak value that continues for aspecified duration. When a datagram is received, the controller decodesthe datagram, identifies the address and reacts as instructed by thedatagram. The data portion of the datagram causes the system of controlvalves to assume various states, whereby fluid medium under pressure issupplied to the actuator piston to develop the force necessary to causethe actuator to shift from one position to another. The actuator mandrelis returned to its original position in response to another datagram,with fluid medium being dumped to a low pressure chamber in the housingduring the return movement. In one embodiment, return movement of theactuator mandrel is caused by a spring, and in another embodiment thereturn movement is forced by the fluid medium under pressure acting onthe opposite side of the actuator piston. In the later embodiment, thecontrol valve system and controller function to cause the fluid mediumto be dumped from the opposite side of the piston to the low pressurechamber as the actuator mandrel is shifted back to its initial position.

Since only low level pressure pulses from datagram instructions areapplied to the annulus to cause a change in the valve status downhole,the present disclosure and associated invention can be used in all wellsincluding deep cased wells, as well as open hole. A large number ofvalve element cycles are possible through use of the system of thepresent invention. In addition, the system is a network that providesdatagram, capabilities to numerous tools within or along the pipingassembly. In downhole applications, increased numbers of well servicesusing numerous well devices with specific addresses can be accessed andcontrolled with a single trip into the well. Overall operating time isreduced, and complicated and lengthy sequencing of high level annuluspressure applications are eliminated. The inventive system disclosedherein is relatively simple and compact and permits the lengths ofdownhole tool components to be considerably shortened in that an entiresystem can be utilized. Increased reliability also is achieved.

Most specifically, the present system located in piping assemblies thatgenerate and utilize at least one or more addressed datagrams allowingcommunication from information contained within the datagrams,comprising;

one or more addressable transponders, wherein the transponders transmitand receive information via said one or more addressed datagramsoptionally encoded within the piping assemblies;wherein the transponders convert the datagrams into signals that aretransmitted to the piping assemblies or from the piping assemblies tothe transponders;wherein the transponders receive and convert signals within the pipingassemblies back into datagrams,and;wherein one or more transponders receive and decode one or moredatagrams so that the transponders within the piping assembliesselectively communicate and perform logical operations causing action onone or more controllable devices.

Inserting markers in strategically placed locations along an axialand/or radial portion of the piping assemblies creates one or morepatterns or sequence of patterns and wherein the markers are comprisedof components each possessing identical or different selected materialcompositions with cross sectional areas corresponding to each of thecomponents such that movement of controllable devices is controlled inresponse to datagrams, by using a pressure responsive member which isadapted to be shifted from one position to another position comprising:a pressure responsive surface member by supplying a fluid medium to thesurface at a pressure substantially different than the hydrostaticpressure of a wellbore fluid allowing for shifting the member from aninitial position to another position in response to utilizing thedatagrams.

Here one or more addressable transponders may contain one or morecontrollers.

In an additional embodiment one or more probes are located within thepiping assemblies wherein the probes comprise; one or more addressabletransponders, wherein the transponders transmit and receive informationvia one or more addressed datagrams encoded within the probes and/orwithin the piping assemblies;

wherein the transponders convert the datagrams into signals that aretransmitted from the probes to the piping assemblies or from the pipingassemblies to the probes;wherein the transponders receive and convert signals from a fluid mediumwithin the piping assemblies back into datagrams,and;wherein the one or more probes receive and decode one or more datagramsso that the transponders within the probes and/or within the pipingassemblies selectively communicate and perform logical operationscausing action on the one or more controllable devices.

In addition, supplying the fluid medium to a surface includes a highpressure chamber in these controllable devices adapted to contain adiscrete volume of the fluid medium, and is transmitting hydrostaticpressure to the high pressure chamber to pressurize the fluid medium.

A low pressure chamber in the controllable devices can also be receivinga discrete volume of fluid medium during shifting of the member back tothe initial position.

The controllable devices may be one or more valve actuators that open orclose a valve.

The valve actuators are one or more control valves that include a firstpilot valve movable between opened and closed positions respectivelypermitting and terminating flow of the fluid medium through the supplypassage.

The control valves or set of valves can be well completion valvesincluding casing, tubing, and/or sliding valves.

Supplying the fluid medium can further include a first solenoid valvefor controlling the position of the first pilot valve, the pilot valvehaving opposite sides and allowing biasing of the pilot valve toward theclosed position, the first solenoid valve functioning to permit thehydrostatic pressure to act on both sides of the pilot valve whereby thepilot valve remains biased to the closed position, or to communicate oneside of the pilot valve with the low pressure chamber wherebyhydrostatic pressure acting on the other side of the pilot valve movesthe pilot valve to an open position.

The solenoid valve includes first and second normally closed solenoidvalve assemblies, whereby the first solenoid valve assembly is locatedin a high pressure line that extends from the high pressure chamber toone side of the pilot valve and the second solenoid valve assembly islocated in a low pressure line leading from an initial side to a lowpressure chamber, whereby when only the second solenoid valve assemblyis energized. The pilot valve moves to the open position, and when onlythe first solenoid valve assembly is energized the pilot valve is movedaccording to biasing toward the closed position

Supplying the fluid medium further includes supplying a passage leadingfrom the high pressure chamber to a pressure responsive surface, andusing a control valve that is operably responsive to datagrams therebycontrolling the flow of the fluid medium through the supply passage.

Here, the system includes a control valve with a valve element thatcontrols fluid flow through a passage within the controllable devices.

In an additional embodiment, the system further includes the step ofopening the control valve in the controllable devices in response toshifting of the pressure responsive member.

The control valve may be a circulating valve that controls fluidcommunication between an interior and an exterior portion of thecontrollable devices.

The controllable devices can also be suspended in a well bore on a pipestring, there being an annulus between the pipe string and thesurrounding well bore wall, the datagrams being applied at the surfaceto well fluid standing in the annulus.

In an additional embodiment, a member has a piston section, the pressureresponsive surface being defined by a first surface of the pistonsection; a cylinder resides within these devices in which the pistonsection is movable, whereby when the fluid medium is supplied to thefirst surface of the piston section, the piston section and member movein one longitudinal direction; and wherein the member includes anexhaust passage for exhausting fluid medium exiting from the cylinderwhen the first pilot valve is in its closed position; and allowing formoving the piston section and member in the opposite longitudinaldirection as the fluid medium is exhausted.

Here the member can be a spring that is reacting against a secondsurface of the piston section.

An exhaust passage communicates the first surface of the piston sectionwith the low pressure chamber, and is further including an additionalcontrol valve that is operably exhaust responsive to the datagrams forcontrolling exhaust of the medium through the exhaust passage.

An additional control valve can be used that includes a second controlvalve that is movable between opened and closed positions therebyrespectively permitting and terminating flow of the fluid medium throughthe exhaust passage to the low pressure chamber.

An additional control valve further can include a second control valvefor controlling the position of a second control valve wherein thesecond control valve has opposite sides and is biasing the secondcontrol valve toward its closed position, the second control valvefunctioning to either permit hydrostatic pressure to act on both of thesides of the second control valve whereby the biasing closes the secondcontrol valve or communicates with one side of the second control valvewith the low pressure chamber whereby hydrostatic pressure acting on theother side thereof moves the second control valve to the open position.

The system also provides for the use of one or more sleeve valves on themember and movable therewith; the devices including a housing having aport for communicating the interior of the housing with the well annulusoutside the housing, the sleeve valves being arranged in one position tospan and close off the port and another position to open the port and topermit circulation of well fluids via the port between the interior andexterior of the housing.

Further embodiments including one or more ball valves coupled to themember, the device including a housing having a flow passage therein,where the ball valves being arranged to pivot about an axis that istransverse to the flow passage between a closed position with respect tothe passage when the member is in the initial position and an openposition with respect to the flow passage when the member is in anotherposition.

The member may be a tubular mandrel where the mandrel has an outwardlydirected flange with a piston disposed therein having opposite sides,one of the sides providing a pressure responsive surface.

In addition it is possible that acting on the other of the sides of thepiston causes return of the mandrel to the initial position when thehydrostatic pressure acting on one of the sides of the piston isreduced.

When there is a supply of a high pressure chamber in the controllabledevices that is arranged to contain fluid medium and a low pressurechamber in the devices that is arranged to receive an exhaust of thefluid medium, and a control valve that is alternately supplying fluidmedium from the high pressure chamber for acting on the pressureresponsive surface and exhausting fluid medium to the low pressurechamber after the fluid medium has acted on the pressure responsivesurface, the operation of the system can progress as desired by theuser.

In an additional embodiment, one or more sensors on the controllabledevices for detecting datagrams and providing an output indicativethereof, one or more controllers for interrogating the output therebydetermining the presence or absence of datagrams, the controllersincluding a triggering operation using the control valve that istriggering only when the datagrams are present may be present.

The control valve includes a plurality of solenoid valve assemblies, andfurther including a driver coupled between the controllers and solenoidvalve assemblies for energizing a plurality of solenoid valve assemblieswhen triggered by the controllers.

The sensors may include transducers for sensing the datagram andproviding an output indicative thereof, the controllers functioning totrigger operation of the control valve.

An energy system such as an hydraulic system is recharged by using adifferential pressure pump.

Recharging is accomplished using energy stored within an accumulator.

A separate embodiment for controlling devices with a sequence of eventsoccurring within a piping assembly comprising programmable datagrams,wherein the datagrams are developed with instructions from a userproviding encoded code, wherein the code is a spatial representation ofinstructions sent through a transmission medium resulting in changes inenergy pulses.

As stated above, the system includes encoded code is one or more barcodes, ID codes, and/or IP addresses.

The energy pulses have varying amplitude over specific lengths of timeand the energy pulses are provided by energy sources having controllablefluctuations in volumes and pressures, light, electricity,electromagnetic fields including eddy currents, chemical reactionsincluding controlled explosions, and/or electrically stimulated oractivated polymers.

The energy pulses are time dependent and provide information from a dataset that is sent along transmission medium and decoded in a controllerassembly, wherein transmission medium is a flow path allowing forindicating a possibility to notify the user that the datagrams have beendelivered to the controller assembly, thereby increasing reliability ofthe system, the system including programmable datagrams and one or moredatagram controller assemblies.

Once the flow path reaches the controller assembly, operations arepossible in that output signals are provided in order to allow for andcreate movement of controllable devices within the piping assembly andwherein input can be received from measurements and/or movementsassociated with the piping assembly.

The flow path exists so that a response can be submitted back to theuser and/or datagrams indicating that information was received in theform of energy changes that exist as or create pulses allowing theoutput signals to act on and control actual physical devices.

Importantly for controlling devices with the capability of controlling asequence of events within a piping assembly comprising a networkablecontrol system, wherein the networkable control system allows foractuating any number of controllable devices in any number of sequencesand/or series so that multiple devices associated with one or morenetworkable piping assemblies can be individually, simultaneously,and/or instantly controlled by the user capability ensures that the usercan control any part of the addressed piping assembly controllabledevices at any time and in any manner along a length of the pipingassembly using specially designed and programmed datagrams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention has other objects, features and advantages whichwill become more clearly apparent in connection with the followingdetailed description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with theappended drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system for controllingpiping assemblies.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of another embodiment of a system forcontrolling piping assemblies.

FIG. 2 is a depiction representative of information and algorithmsstored in a datagram for use in the control of devices used in pipingassemblies.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation representing an overall systemimplementing the general control scheme of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation indicating how probes can be usedto provide control and movement of devices during drilling, completion,and producing of oil and gas wells within piping assemblies.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram indicating how programmable datagrams can beused for controlling devices in piping assemblies by translatingdatagrams into barcodes that create energy changes within a medium andare interpreted by a controller for controlling the devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 A and 1B, which are block diagrams of thesystem for controlling piping assemblies (100) is presented. Thediagrams are split into three portions, the datagram source portion(110), the datagram responder portion (130) and a transmission medium(120) that exists between the source portion (110) and the responderportion (130). Energy sources (110) supplying power to power supplyboards (140) are shown for both portions (110) and (130). Once theenergy source is provided the energy can be transmitted to the powersupply (normally circuit) board (140) which supplies the power to thesystem so that datagram signals are sent to a transmitter (150) andsubsequently to a receiver (155), or transponder (190) as shown in FIG.1B. The controller (160) is normally separately powered, but can also bepowered by the same power supply board as thetransmitter/receiver/transponder devices (150,155, 190), as needed. Thetransmitter, receiver, transponder, and controller (150,155, 190, and160) are all controlled by using the programmable datagram—(145)—(whichis also depicted in the schematic diagram in FIG. 2 as well as describedin further detail below). Dotted line (152) indicates that acommunication link can exist between the programmable datagram (145) andthe controller (160). The datagram contains intelligence andinstructions embedded by a program which can either be pre-programmedand stored within a separate computer (not shown) or within anintelligent controller (160) that includes the datagram informationincluding addresses and data corresponding to controlling physicaldevices used in the piping system. Each address and each set of data canbe arranged in combination with the controller and programmable datagramto provide output (165) to or receive input (170) from physical devices.These devices are capable of at least making measurements within oroutside (along) the piping assemblies or movement or both. As thesedevices become more and more intelligent along with the computer devicesused to service them, the devices can themselves reach the level ofbeing remote controlled robots. By inclusion of computerized controllersattached to or remote from these devices, the datagrams provide theneeded instructions to cause an action (or absence of an action) by thecontrolled devices at specific addresses.

As described above, the “datagram” is meant to be a self-contained,independent entity of data carrying sufficient information to be routedfrom a source to a destination computer without reliance on earlierexchanges between the source and the destination computer and thetransporting network. The datagrams contain logic packets of informationthat include one or more addressed portions and one or more dataportions. The datagrams also include checksum portions and/or sequencingcriteria portions. The addressed portions contained within the datagramsare accessible by the controller and provide for communication withindividual, collective, groups, and/or networks of controllable devices.The data portions contained within the datagrams allow for controllingcontrollable devices by providing data portions corresponding with dataobtained from making measurements within the medium.

A graphical depiction of one such datagram (145) is shown in FIG. 2. Inthis case, the datagram contains a target or destination address portion(210), an optional sequence information portion (220), an optionalchecksum portion (230) and a data portion, (240). The datagram (145) ofthe present invention does not necessarily contain these portions in thesame order and in some cases, the datagram (145) may contain only anaddress and data portion. In any case, the datagram (145) isprogrammable, and provides sequenced instructions from (220) regardingaddressed sections from (210) for both the piping assembly and devicesused by the piping assembly. The datagram (145) also includes the dataportion (240) which allows for receiving, analyzing, and sending data ina specified format. In the present invention, the data are normally sentas signals regarding measurements and movements made along the length ofthe pipeline to “smart” devices that make the measurements and/ormovements as required by the user.

FIG. 3 is more specific to the use of the addressed datagrams for use ina well, developed for producing petroleum products. Here, the schematicrepresentation (300) depicts an overall system implementing the generalcontrol scheme of the present invention. The diagram shows a wellhead(310) with a main valve control (320), such as a ball valve or the like.A power source (330) provides power to the system which includes a pumpand optionally a winder assembly for sending operational lines downhole(340) which can bypass the main control valve (320).

Further down the wellbore into the lateral (horizontal) section of thepiping assembly are shown a series (1, 2, 3, . . . n) of valveassemblies (396) and additional equipment (370) which can penetrate thecasing into the formation. This equipment is controlled via the systemof the present invention. The valve assemblies (396) are normallylocated within the casing or production tubing and attached to a sideportion of the casing/tubing so that the flow of production fluid (oiland/or gas and at times water) can be controlled. The schematic of FIG.3 provided shows fissures (360) created by fracing of the formation toincrease production for shale deposits (as one example). An enlarged(exploded) view of the wellbore (380) is provided to further illustrateone cross-sectional area of the wellbore. In this instance, one or moredownhole controllers (390) are provided and shown as attached orembedded within the casing/tubing. Additional sensors (392) are alsoprovided, as needed, and also attached in a similar fashion as that ofthe controllers. The sensors are utilized to sense changes in pressure,temperature, flow, density, gamma/beta radioactivity, electromagneticradiation, generated light by for example, lasers, eddy currents, etc.As the sensors determine these changes, the sensors provide data inputto the controllers. The controllers then provide instruction in the formof directions using datagrams as described above. In the exploded viewdiagram of the cross-section provided (380), one of the valves of thevalve assemblies (370) (which can be slider valves, ball valves, orotherwise controlled displacement valves, etc.), are shown (396) andillustrate the ability to penetrate the casing/tubing in order to allowfor flow interruption as needed. Sand-screens (394) are shown whichprovide protection for the valves in that they function as filtersbetween the formation and the valve. In this manner, the chances of thevalves malfunctioning due to particulate build-up in the valve issubstantially reduced. As shown, there are also (often hydraulic lines(398) which may be directly attached to the valves (396) from uphole.Electrical and/or optical cables or conduits (397) are also shown aspossible for connection to the down-hole devices. By deploying theselines using the equipment shown (330, 340), it is possible to furthercontrol the overall system and precisely perform opening and closingoperations on the valves (396) and valve assemblies (370, and 392).

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation (400) of the use of probes in thesame down-hole application for the presently described system.Specifically, the probes (432) are sent down-hole from an uphole holdingor repository station (401), which includes a probe sending device orperson (405) responsible for sending the probe into an uphole pipingassembly (410). The probes (432) can be equipped with transmitters,receivers, transponders, and/or sensors as needed, based on the desiredoperation that the probe is required to perform. The production tubingor casing within the borehole (420) can similarly be equipped withtransmitters, receivers, transponders, and/or sensors, so that thesystem includes “smart” probes and/or “smart” production tubing/casing.An exploded view cross-sectional area of the borehole (420) is shown(430) which indicates the use of casing or tubing valves (396) that maybe identical to or different from those shown in FIG. 3. The probes(432) also can utilize the same or different sensors (392) as shown inboth the schematics of FIGS. 3 and 4. In an additional embodiment, theprobes (432) themselves may carry sensors (392) and act in unison witheither an uphole or downhole controller to perform necessary operationswithin the wellbore. In a further embodiment, the probes (432) sensechanges in the casing or the production tubing which not only providesan exact address for a downhole device (such as the valves—396) but alsosignals the probe to perform one or more operations at that address. Inaddition, controllers can be added to the probes (432) or to thetubing/casing to ensure that operations within the piping assembly areaccomplished properly. When one or more probes (432) are sent into thepiping assembly, the controllers utilize datagrams as described aboveand shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and further described and illustrated in FIG.5, for establishing communications between the user (405), the probe(432), and devices existing within the piping assembly 390, 392, 396,etc). By using these datagrams, devices within the piping assembly canbe intelligently controlled and activated either by a preprogrammed setof instructions, or dynamically by sending instructions utilizing thedatagrams.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (500) that illustrates one of many possibleembodiments whereby a sequence of events occurs for controlling devicesassociated with the piping assembly. The programmable datagram (145) isdeveloped with instructions from a user and encoded (505) with, in thiscase, a bar code (510). The bar code (510) is a spatial representationof the instructions being subsequently sent through a transmissionmedium (120) resulting in changes in energy pulses (520) represented inthe plot illustrating such pulses that have varying amplitude overspecific lengths of time. The energy pulses are from energy sources thatprovide fluctuations in, for example, volumes and pressures, light,electricity, electromagnetic fields including eddy currents, chemicalreactions including controlled explosions, electrically stimulated oractivated polymers, etc. Causing these fluctuations and controlling themis critical to the present invention.

Once the time dependent changes in energy pulses (520) are provided, theinformation from this data set is sent and/or decoded in the controllerunit (160)—depicted here as residing in a box (540) which represents acontroller assembly. The flow path continues (525) toward a controllerassembly (540). In addition, a flow path (530) is shown here indicatingthat it is possible to notify the user that the datagram has beendelivered to the controller. This assists in making the programmabledatagram (145) and datagram controller assembly (540) more reliable.Once the flow path reaches the controller (160) and overall controllerassembly (540), the operations described for FIGS. 1A and 1B arepossible in that output signals are provided (165) in order to allow forand create movement of controllable devices within the piping assembly.Likewise, input can be received from the measurements and/or movementsassociated with the piping assembly. The flow path (152) exists so thata response can be submitted back to the user and/or datagram indicatingthat information was received in the form of, for example, pressure(energy changes) pulses allowing the output (165) to act on and controlactual physical devices.

It is critical to the present invention to recognize that FIGS. 1-5 aremeant to be representative and indicative of a networkable controlsystem. The control system allows for actuating any number ofcontrollable devices in any number of sequences or series so thatmultiple devices associated with one or more networkable piping systemscan be individually, simultaneously, and/or instantly controlled by theuser. This capability ensures that the user can control any part of theaddressed piping assembly controllable devices at any time and in anymanner along the length of the assembly using properly designed andprogrammed datagrams.

Example

More specifically, for downhole well completion, one example of how thecontrol system with addressed datagrams would operate is as follows;

A user would either send a set of programmed instructions to acontroller or utilize a probe with a set of instructions downhole intothe wellbore via a transmitter and/or transponder. The set ofinstructions, in this case, would be to open or close a well completionvalve or set of well completion valves located at a specific addresswithin the production tubing or casing. Energy pulses are formed bychanges in pressures controlled within the tubing that is accomplishedby using a pressure responsive member (such as a piston or a pilotvalve) which is adapted to be shifted from one position to anotherposition. The pressure responsive surface located near or on the valveis supplied by the fluid medium (within the wellbore) to the responsivesurface at a pressure substantially equal to the hydrostatic pressure ofthe wellbore fluid. This allows for shifting the pressure responsivemember from an initial position to another position in response to theprogrammed datagrams.

The working system of the present disclosure includes some of thefeatures associated with U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,796,699 and 4,856,595describing an alternate well tool control system, the full contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

Supplying the fluid medium to the responsive surface includes the use ofa high pressure chamber either within or in proximity to the wellcompletion valve(s) adapted to contain a discrete volume of the workingmedium, and provides for transmitting hydrostatic pressure to the highpressure chamber to pressurize the working medium. Supplying the fluidmedium can further include supplying a passage leading from the highpressure chamber to the pressure responsive surface, and using a pilotor other control valve that is operably responsive to the datagraminstructions that develop commands. The datagrams, for example, canprovide instructions to controllers (or a network of controllers) for;locating the valve or set of valves at specific addresses, providinginstructions to the valve actuators regarding the percentage of openingor closing the valve(s), the time and/or length of time the valve(s)should be opened or closed, under what operating temperatures andpressures the valve(s) should or should not respond, a specified flowrate at which a specified valve or set of valves should open or closepartially or fully and also signal for controlling the flow of themedium through the supply passage.

In this case, valve actuators are a control valve that includes a firstpilot valve movable between opened and closed positions respectivelypermitting and terminating flow of the fluid medium through the supplypassage. Supplying the medium further includes a first solenoid valvefor controlling the position of the first pilot valve. The pilot valvehas opposite sides and allows biasing of the pilot valve toward theclosed position, the first solenoid valve functioning to either permithydrostatic pressure to act on both sides of the pilot valve whereby thepilot valve remains biased to the closed position, or to communicate oneside of the pilot valve with the low pressure chamber. The hydrostaticpressure acting on the other side of the pilot valve moves the pilotvalve to an open position.

Here, the solenoid valve includes first and second normally closedsolenoid valve assemblies, the first solenoid valve assembly beinglocated in a high pressure line that extends from the high pressurechamber to one side of the pilot valve and the second solenoid valveassembly being located in a low pressure line leading from the initialside to the low pressure chamber. When only the second solenoid valveassembly is energized, the pilot valve moves to an open position, andwhen only the first solenoid valve assembly is energized the pilot valveis moved according to the biasing to the closed position.

In this case, the pressure responsive member has a piston section, thepressure responsive surface being defined by a first surface of thepiston section; a cylinder residing within the member in which thepiston section is movable, whereby when the fluid medium is supplied tothe first surface of the piston section, the piston section and membermove in one longitudinal direction; and wherein the member includes anexhaust passage for exhausting fluid medium exiting from the cylinderwhen the first pilot valve is in its closed position; and allowing formoving the piston section and member in the opposite longitudinaldirection as the fluid medium is exhausted. A spring is used forreacting against a second surface of the piston section.

In this example, the exhaust passage communicates the first surface ofthe piston section with the low pressure chamber, further includes anadditional control valve that operably exhausts responsive to a datagramfor controlling exhaust of the medium through the exhaust passage.

An additional control valve includes a second pilot valve that ismovable between opened and closed positions thereby respectivelypermitting and terminating flow of the medium through the exhaustpassage to the low pressure chamber. The additional control valvefurther includes a second solenoid valve for controlling the position ofthe second pilot valve wherein the second pilot valve has opposite sidesand is biasing the second pilot valve toward its closed position, thesecond solenoid valve functioning to either permit the hydrostaticpressure to act on both sides of the second pilot valve. The biasingcloses the second pilot valve or communicates one side of the secondpilot valve with the low pressure chamber whereby hydrostatic pressureacting on the other side moves the second pilot valve to the openposition.

The second solenoid valve includes third and fourth normally closedsolenoid valve assemblies, the third solenoid valve assembly beinglocated in a second high pressure line extending from the high pressurechamber to one side of the second pilot valve. The fourth solenoid valveassembly is located in a second low pressure line leading from one sideof the second pilot valve to the low pressure chamber, whereby when onlythe fourth solenoid valve assembly is energized the second pilot valvemoves to an open position. Likewise, when only the third solenoid valveassembly is energized, the second pilot valve is moved by biasing to theclosed position.

It is also possible to include one or more sleeve valves on the pressureresponsive member, where the valves include a housing having a port forcommunicating the interior of the housing with the well annulus outsidethe housing. The sleeve valves are arranged in one position to span andclose off ports within the casing or production tubing and are arrangedin another position to open the port and permit circulation of wellfluids via the port between the interior and exterior of the housing.

It is also possible to include one or more ball valves coupled to thepressure responsive member, the member including a housing having a flowpassage therein. The ball valves are arranged to pivot about an axisthat is transverse to the flow passage between a closed position withrespect to the passage when the member is in an initial position and anopen position with respect to the flow passage when the member is inanother position.

The pressure responsive member here is a tubular mandrel. The mandrelhas an outwardly directed flange with a piston disposed within theflange having opposite sides, one of the sides providing the pressureresponsive surface. When fluid is acting on the other side of the pistonit causes returning the mandrel to the initial position when thehydrostatic pressure acting on one of the sides of the piston isreduced.

In order to ensure responsiveness of the system, a supply of a highpressure chambers is arranged to contain the fluid medium and a lowpressure chamber in the wellbore that is arranged to receive an exhaustof the working medium. A control valve is employed and controlled by thedatagram system which alternately supplies fluid medium from the highpressure chamber for acting on the pressure responsive surface andexhausting fluid medium to the low pressure chamber after the medium hasacted on the pressure responsive surface.

The system may further include one or more sensors for detecting andreceiving the datagrams and associated datagrams and providing outputsignals and datagrams. The one or more controllers receive and interpretthe output using the programmed instructions within the datagram andalso detect the presence or absence of a signature pattern such as a barcode. This set of instructions and presence of the code provides atriggering operation regarding activating or deactivating the wellcompletion valve or set of valves. The valve(s) include a plurality ofsolenoid valve assemblies, and further include a driver coupled betweenthe controller(s) and the solenoid valve assemblies for energizing aplurality of solenoid valve assemblies when triggered by thecontroller(s).

The system describe herein involves the use of compact, simple andreliable devices which can be controlled individually, collectively, ingroups, or by using networks, so that numerous devices can be actuatedon as needed basis. Since certain changes or modifications may be madein the disclosed embodiments without departing from the inventiveconcepts involved, it is the aim of the following claims to cover allsuch changes and modifications falling within the true spirit and scopeof the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A system located in piping assemblies that generate andutilize at least one or more addressed datagrams allowing communicationfrom information contained within said datagrams, comprising; one ormore addressable transponders, wherein said transponders transmit andreceive information via said one or more addressed datagrams optionallyencoded within said piping assemblies; wherein said transponders convertsaid datagrams into signals that are transmitted to said pipingassemblies or from said piping assemblies to said transponders; whereinsaid transponders receive and convert signals within said pipingassemblies back into datagrams, and; wherein said one or moretransponders receive and decode one or more datagrams so that saidtransponders within said piping assemblies selectively communicate andperform logical operations causing action on one or more controllabledevices.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein inserting markers instrategically placed locations along an axial and/or radial portion ofsaid piping assemblies creates one or more patterns or sequence ofpatterns and wherein said markers are comprised of components eachpossessing identical or different selected material compositions withcross sectional areas corresponding to each of said components such thatmovement of said controllable devices is controlled in response todatagrams, by using a pressure responsive member which is adapted to beshifted from one position to another position comprising: a pressureresponsive surface on said member by supplying a fluid medium to saidsurface at a pressure substantially different than the hydrostaticpressure of a wellbore fluid allowing for shifting said member from aninitial position to another position in response to utilizing saiddatagrams.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said one or moreaddressable transponders contain one or more controllers.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein one or more probes are located within said pipingassemblies and wherein said probes comprise; one or more addressabletransponders, wherein said transponders transmit and receive informationvia said one or more addressed datagrams encoded within said probesand/or within said piping assemblies; wherein said transponders convertsaid datagrams into signals that are transmitted from said probes tosaid piping assemblies or from said piping assemblies to said probes;wherein said transponders receive and convert signals from a fluidmedium within said piping assemblies back into datagrams, and; whereinsaid one or more probes receive and decode one or more datagrams so thatsaid transponders within said probes and/or within said pipingassemblies selectively communicate and perform logical operationscausing action on said one or more controllable devices.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein supplying said fluid medium to said surface includesa high pressure chamber in said controllable devices adapted to containa discrete volume of said fluid medium, and is transmitting hydrostaticpressure to said high pressure chamber to pressurize said fluid medium.6. The system of claim 2, wherein a low pressure chamber in saidcontrollable devices are receiving a discrete volume of said fluidmedium during shifting of said member back to said initial position. 7.The system of claim 6, wherein said controllable devices are one or morevalve actuators that open or close a valve.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein said valve actuators are one or more control valves that includea first pilot valve movable between opened and closed positionsrespectively permitting and terminating flow of said fluid mediumthrough said supply passage.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein saidcontrol valves or set of valves are well completion valves includingcasing, tubing, and/or sliding valves.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein supplying said fluid medium further includes a first solenoidvalve for controlling the position of said first pilot valve, said pilotvalve having opposite sides and allowing biasing of said pilot valvetoward said closed position, said first solenoid valve functioning topermit said hydrostatic pressure to act on both sides of said pilotvalve whereby said pilot valve remains biased to said closed position,or to communicate one side of said pilot valve with said low pressurechamber whereby hydrostatic pressure acting on the other side of saidpilot valve moves said pilot valve to an open position.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein said solenoid valve includes first and secondnormally closed solenoid valve assemblies, said first solenoid valveassembly being located in a high pressure line that extends from saidhigh pressure chamber to said one side of said pilot valve and saidsecond solenoid valve assembly being located in a low pressure lineleading from an initial side to said low pressure chamber, whereby whenonly said second solenoid valve assembly is energized, said pilot valvemoves to said open position, and when only said first solenoid valveassembly is energized said pilot valve is moved according to biasingtoward said closed position
 12. The system of claim 5, wherein supplyingsaid fluid medium further includes supplying a passage leading from saidhigh pressure chamber to said pressure responsive surface, and using acontrol valve that is operably responsive to said datagrams therebycontrolling the flow of said fluid medium through said supply passage.13. The system of claim 12, wherein said control valve is a valveelement that controls fluid flow through a passage within saidcontrollable devices.
 14. The system of claim 12, further including thestep of opening said control valve in said controllable devices inresponse to shifting of said pressure responsive member.
 15. The systemof claim 13, wherein said control valve is a circulating valve thatcontrols fluid communication between an interior and an exterior portionof said controllable devices.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein saidcontrollable devices are suspended in a well bore on a pipe string,there being an annulus between said pipe string and the surrounding wellbore wall, said datagrams being applied at the surface to well fluidstanding in said annulus.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein said memberhas a piston section, said pressure responsive surface being defined bya first surface of said piston section; a cylinder resides within saiddevices in which said piston section is movable, whereby when said fluidmedium is supplied to said first surface of said piston section, saidpiston section and member move in one longitudinal direction; andwherein said member includes an exhaust passage for exhausting fluidmedium exiting from said cylinder when said first pilot valve is in itsclosed position; and allowing for moving said piston section and memberin the opposite longitudinal direction as said fluid medium isexhausted.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein a spring is reactingagainst a second surface of said piston section.
 19. The system of claim17, wherein said exhaust passage communicates said first surface of saidpiston section with said low pressure chamber, and is further includingan additional control valve that is operably exhaust responsive to saiddatagram for controlling exhaust of said medium through said exhaustpassage.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein said additional controlvalve includes a second control valve that is movable between opened andclosed positions thereby respectively permitting and terminating flow ofsaid fluid medium through said exhaust passage to said low pressurechamber.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein said additional controlvalve further includes a second control valve for controlling theposition of said second control valve wherein said second control valvehas opposite sides and is biasing said second control valve toward itsclosed position, said second control valve functioning to either permitsaid hydrostatic pressure to act on both of said sides of said secondcontrol valve whereby said biasing closes said second control valve orcommunicates with one side of said second control valve with said lowpressure chamber whereby hydrostatic pressure acting on the other sidethereof moves said second control valve to said open position.
 22. Thesystem of claim 21, further including one or more sleeve valves on saidmember and movable therewith; said devices including a housing having aport for communicating the interior of said housing with the wellannulus outside said housing, said sleeve valves being arranged in saidone position to span and close off said port in said other position toopen said port and to permit circulation of well fluids via said portbetween the interior and exterior of said housing.
 23. The system ofclaim 22, further including one or more ball valves coupled to saidmember, said device including a housing having a flow passage therein,said ball valves being arranged to pivot about an axis that istransverse to said flow passage between a closed position with respectto said passage when said member is in said initial position and an openposition with respect to said flow passage when said member is in saidother position.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein said member is atubular mandrel said mandrel having an outwardly directed flange with apiston disposed therein having opposite sides, one of said sidesproviding said pressure responsive surface.
 25. The system of claim 24,further including acting on the other of said sides of said pistoncausing returning said mandrel to said initial position when thehydrostatic pressure acting on said one of said sides of said piston isreduced.
 26. The system of claim 2, wherein there is a supply of a highpressure chamber in said controllable devices that is arranged tocontain said fluid medium and a low pressure chamber in said devicesthat is arranged to receive an exhaust of said fluid medium, and acontrol valve that is alternately supplying fluid medium from said highpressure chamber for acting on said pressure responsive surface andexhausting fluid medium to said low pressure chamber after said fluidmedium has acted on said pressure responsive surface.
 27. The system ofclaim 26, further including one or more sensors on said controllabledevices for detecting said datagrams and providing an output indicativethereof, one or more controllers for interrogating said output therebydetermining the presence or absence of datagrams, said controllersincluding a triggering operation using said control valve that istriggering only when said datagrams are present.
 28. The system of claim27, wherein said control valve includes a plurality of solenoid valveassemblies, and further including a driver coupled between saidcontrollers and solenoid valve assemblies for energizing a plurality ofsolenoid valve assemblies when triggered by said controllers.
 29. Thesystem of claim 28, wherein said sensors include transducers for sensingsaid datagram and providing an output indicative thereof, saidcontrollers functioning to trigger operation of said control valve. 30.The system of claim 1 wherein an energy system such as an hydraulicsystem is recharged by using a differential pressure pump.
 31. Thesystem of claim 30, wherein recharging is accomplished using energystored within an accumulator.
 32. A system for controlling devices witha sequence of events occurring within a piping assembly comprisingprogrammable datagrams, wherein said datagrams are developed withinstructions from a user providing encoded code, wherein said code is aspatial representation of instructions sent through a transmissionmedium resulting in changes in energy pulses.
 33. The system of claim32, wherein said encoded code is one or more bar codes, ID codes, and/orIP addresses.
 34. The system of claim 32, wherein said energy pulseshave varying amplitude over specific lengths of time and said energypulses are provided by energy sources having controllable fluctuationsin volumes and pressures, light, electricity, electromagnetic fieldsincluding eddy currents, chemical reactions including controlledexplosions, and/or electrically stimulated or activated polymers. 35.The system of claim 33, wherein said energy pulses are time dependentand provide information from a data set that is sent along saidtransmission medium and decoded in a controller assembly, wherein saidtransmission medium is a flow path allowing for indicating a possibilityto notify said user that said datagrams have been delivered to saidcontroller assembly, thereby increasing reliability of said system, saidsystem including said programmable datagrams and said datagramcontroller assembly.
 36. The system of claim 34, wherein once said flowpath reaches said controller assembly, operations are possible in thatoutput signals are provided in order to allow for and create movement ofcontrollable devices within said piping assembly and wherein input canbe received from measurements and/or movements associated with saidpiping assembly.
 37. The flow path of claim 34, wherein said flow pathexists so that a response can be submitted back to said user and/ordatagrams indicating that information was received in the form of energychanges that exist as or create pulses allowing said output signals toact on and control actual physical devices.
 38. A system for controllingdevices with the capability of controlling a sequence of events within apiping assembly comprising a networkable control system, wherein saidnetworkable control system allows for actuating any number ofcontrollable devices in any number of sequences and/or series so thatmultiple devices associated with one or more networkable pipingassemblies can be individually, simultaneously, and/or instantlycontrolled by said user.
 39. The system of claim 38, wherein saidcapability ensures that said user can control any part of said addressedpiping assembly controllable devices at any time and in any manner alonga length of said piping assembly using specially designed and programmeddatagrams.